Kerala on high alert as Cyclone Burevi closes in

With the deep melancholy over the southwest Bay of Bengal intensifying right into a cyclone (Burevi), preparations are in full swing in the State for tackling weather-related emergencies.

The authorities equipment has been activated on a battle footing in the seven southern districts. In addition to this, eight groups of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) can be positioned in these districts by Wednesday midday.

One group every can be deployed in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam whereas Idukki could have two groups, officers of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) stated.

Forces on standby

The Army, Navy, Air Force and the Coast Guard even have been requested to stay on stand-by to deal with emergencies.

The southern districts are bracing for heavy to extraordinarily heavy rainfall and lashing winds induced by the cyclone, which is predicted to cross the Sri Lankan coast by Wednesday evening with wind speeds touching 75-85 kmph and gusting to 95 kmph.

Advancing westward, the climate system will emerge into the Gulf of Mannar and Kanyakumari area by Thursday morning. By early Friday morning, it’s anticipated to cross the south Tamil Nadu coast between Kanyakumari and Pamban, IMD officers right here stated.

Relief camps

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has directed the departments of Revenue, Police, Fire and Rescue Services, Fisheries, Irrigation, Power, and Local Self-Government to make the mandatory preparations on a battle footing.

Instructions have been issued to arrange aid camps by Wednesday in places susceptible to landslips, flooding, and coastal erosion.

Sections of the general public included in the susceptible teams in the Orange Book of Disaster Management of the KSDMA will, if wanted, be evacuated in advance to protected places.

Fishing actions even have been suspended until Friday.

“Kerala can expect strong winds and heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy rainfall from Wednesday. Kanyakumari, the Kerala coast, Lakshadweep, and the Maldives region are likely to experience strong winds and rough sea conditions,” IMD Met Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, Director K. Santhosh stated in an replace.

Red, orange alerts

As per the up to date climate advisory, crimson alert for terribly heavy rainfall has been issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, and Alappuzha on Thursday.

Orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall has been issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Idukki on Wednesday; Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki on Thursday; and Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki on Friday.

Yellow alert has been issued for Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad on Wednesday; Thrissur and Palakkad on Thursday and Friday; and the seven southern districts on Saturday.